There was a strong field of athletes on hand for the Maitland Triathlon on Sunday - but the bushfires to the north took their toll. "We had about 20 entrants from Port Macquarie and Taree way who couldn't make it because of road closures due to the bushfires," race organiser Paul Humphreys said. "Still we had healthy fields, about 260 or so for the triathlon. "Throw in the fun run where we had 70 or 80 and we would have cracked 300 for the day which is pretty good. "Each year since we started holding the event again in 2017 after a five-year hiatus the entries have increased by about 20 per cent. "We had a lot of late entrants this year. But I'm delighted by those numbers because there are more and more of these sort of events on the calendar, so to continue pulling such big numbers is really encouraging." The windy conditions made things difficult for athletes, particularly in the bike leg, but also on the run. "The bike leg in particular was difficult out through the farms there at Duckenfield," Humphreys said. "It was blowy and they would have the wind at their backs but then they would head back and they would be riding straight into the teeth of the wind." Considering the challenging conditions overall times for the serious competitors were pretty slick. World paratriathlete champion Lauren Parker competed the 2km swim and the 60km ride before withdrawing from the run leg as it was unsuitable for her race chair. "She'd always said she couldn't do that leg but it was wonderful to have her there competing," Humphreys said. "Having someone like that in the field can only inspire other athletes, so I hope she can continue to fit this event in on her schedule." The winner of the longer race - the 2km swim, 60km ride and 15km run - was Mitchell Scott in a time of 3:03:18. Last year's winner Laurent Doyen finished third. In fourth place overall was the leading female in the field, Holly Khan in a time of 03:23:21. The winner of the Olympic Distance event - a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and a 10km run - was Paul O'Doherty in a time of 02:08:32. The first female across the line was Amy Ryan in a time of 02:41:39. The shortest event, the Sprint Distance - a 750m swim, 20km cycle and a 5km run - was won by Hunter Academy of Sport athlete Mateo Mendoza Burgos in 00:58:49. The first female home was another Hunter Academy of Sport athlete Emily Fortunas-Klocker in 1:11:28. The Summer Fun Run (10km) was won by Dayanidhi Torrisi in 39:10 with Kim O'Connor the fastest female in 48:30.

Maitland Triathlon draws big numbers despite blustery conditions

INTO THE RIVER: Entrants await the start of their race, kicking off with a swim in the Hunter River.

THE RUN: The event is open to athletes of all standards.

There was a strong field of athletes on hand for the Maitland Triathlon on Sunday - but the bushfires to the north took their toll.

"We had about 20 entrants from Port Macquarie and Taree way who couldn't make it because of road closures due to the bushfires," race organiser Paul Humphreys said.

"Still we had healthy fields, about 260 or so for the triathlon.

"Throw in the fun run where we had 70 or 80 and we would have cracked 300 for the day which is pretty good.

"Each year since we started holding the event again in 2017 after a five-year hiatus the entries have increased by about 20 per cent.

"We had a lot of late entrants this year. But I'm delighted by those numbers because there are more and more of these sort of events on the calendar, so to continue pulling such big numbers is really encouraging."

The windy conditions made things difficult for athletes, particularly in the bike leg, but also on the run.

"The bike leg in particular was difficult out through the farms there at Duckenfield," Humphreys said. "It was blowy and they would have the wind at their backs but then they would head back and they would be riding straight into the teeth of the wind."

Considering the challenging conditions overall times for the serious competitors were pretty slick. World paratriathlete champion Lauren Parker competed the 2km swim and the 60km ride before withdrawing from the run leg as it was unsuitable for her race chair.

"She'd always said she couldn't do that leg but it was wonderful to have her there competing," Humphreys said.

"Having someone like that in the field can only inspire other athletes, so I hope she can continue to fit this event in on her schedule."

The winner of the longer race - the 2km swim, 60km ride and 15km run - was Mitchell Scott in a time of 3:03:18.

Last year's winner Laurent Doyen finished third.

In fourth place overall was the leading female in the field, Holly Khan in a time of 03:23:21.

The winner of the Olympic Distance event - a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and a 10km run - was Paul O'Doherty in a time of 02:08:32. The first female across the line was Amy Ryan in a time of 02:41:39.

The shortest event, the Sprint Distance - a 750m swim, 20km cycle and a 5km run - was won by Hunter Academy of Sport athlete Mateo Mendoza Burgos in 00:58:49. The first female home was another Hunter Academy of Sport athlete Emily Fortunas-Klocker in 1:11:28.

The Summer Fun Run (10km) was won by Dayanidhi Torrisi in 39:10 with Kim O'Connor the fastest female in 48:30.